Agro-food industry is a key driver for Cambodian economic growth, according to Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Veng Sakhon’s statement in the hybrid-format Vienna Food Safety Forum 2022. However, food security is a major concern for developing countries, undermined by limited access to modern processing equipment and technologies, insufficient in raw material management and lack of public awareness of food-safety standards or sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS). By noticing the challenge aspect, the Royal Government of Cambodia has provided incentives for investment in agriculture, launched digital monitoring systems for fisheries products, as well as mobile apps guiding the safe use of pesticides. Importantly, new policies have been put in place improving productivity, quality, and sanitary standards. With efforts, Cambodia exported nearly $2.709 billion of agricultural products in the first eight month of 2022, according to figures published by the agriculture ministry.

Reference: Hin, P. (2022, October 04). Sakhon: Agro-food soured by low tech, unfit standards. The Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved from https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/sakhon-agro-food-soured-low-tech-unfit-standards